Robbie Rogers: My story 10 years after coming out — Sky 28/11/23

Former USA international Robbie Rogers speaks exclusively with Sky Sports News about coming out in 2013, not judging Jordan Henderson for his move to Saudi Arabia, and why Rainbow Laces matters

By Mark McAdam and Harshini Mehta

In February 2013, Robbie Rogers made history when he came out publicly as gay, becoming only the second male footballer in Britain to do so after Justin Fashanu in 1990.

Only a few months later, Rogers continued to make headlines when he became America's first out gay athlete in a professional men's team sport after being substituted on from the bench in an LA Galaxy match.

The Rainbow Laces campaign is celebrating 10 years this year, continuing to raise awareness and promote diversity and inclusion in the world of sport.

To commemorate this special occasion, our reporter Mark McAdam reminisced with Rogers about when he came out, his inspirations, and what he believes would create progress in England for the LGBTQ community...

"When I originally came out, it wasn’t really for anyone but myself. I was just trying to free myself from football."

Rogers joined Leeds United in January 2012 but was sent out on loan to Stevenage in August. However, when a member of Stevenage's then coaching staff used a homophobic slur in a misguided attempt to motivate his players, Rogers decided it was time to move on from football.

With his time at both clubs hampered by injury too, he terminated his Leeds contract by mutual consent only a year in.

Weeks after being released, he announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 25 and revealed he is gay on his personal blog.

In the statement, Rogers described his heightening fears, the power of dreams, and the heartache of being closeted. "People love to preach about honesty, how honesty is so plain and simple," he wrote. "Try explaining to your loved ones after 25 years you are gay."

After just a few months as a free agent, Rogers decided to accept an offer from LA Galaxy to step back into football.

He made such quick progress with the MLS franchise that he would go on to make his competitive Galaxy debut before the end of May, thus becoming the first out gay man to play in a major US sports league.

When asked about his thoughts on the fact that there were still no openly gay footballers in the Premier League, he said he was surprised.

"My husband, then-boyfriend, we talked about it a lot. We were like, 'anytime now, a player at Arsenal or a player somewhere is going to come out, they are going to be a huge inspiration and people are going to realise that it isn’t that big of a deal!'

"The culture in the changing room is one that I loved and embraced – the banter, becoming a family, and really supporting each other but also the misogyny and the homophobia. And all that I experienced is really scary and holds people back from being themselves."

But there has been progress in the world of football. The list of out gay and bi players in the global men's professional game is still short but there have been more than twice as many public comings out since 2013.

Australian footballer Josh Cavallo came out as gay two years ago and hoped that sharing his story would make others feel more comfortable in the sporting community.

And just last year, 17-year-old Jake Daniels did the same in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports.

"To name those guys - obviously huge inspirations to millions of people. I think it's incredible, the courage they've shown to come out and continue to play," Rogers said.

"Someone who had a complicated life but was a huge inspiration to me was Justin Fashanu."

Justin Fashanu was the first professional footballer to be openly gay in the 90s. Having played for a variety of English clubs, he was one of the first to command a £1m transfer fee for his move from Norwich City to Nottingham Forest.

"The courage that it took at that time to be everything that he was is really inspiring. I would say if there were a lesson to be learnt here is the fact that the difference in someone like me, who had love and support from clubs, coaches and players, compared to someone like Justin who didn’t, is for some people, life and death," said Rogers.

The Rainbow Laces campaign was launched in 2013, the same year in which the former LA Galaxy winger came out. Although he doesn’t have much knowledge about it, Rogers believes it's important for footballers to be able to have a voice on the pitch as well as off it.

"Getting players with real notoriety to have an avenue or venue to be able to support different causes is important. If (Martin) Odegaard is wearing rainbow laces and he starts a conversation, people are seeing what he’s wearing, and it’s in the minds of everyday fans.

"If we can create a culture to inspire young players to be themselves, then we are creating a generation of role models for people that look and love differently," the former USA international said.

Many high-profile footballers have recently decided to move to Saudi Arabia to join the Pro League, which has caused some controversy. Homosexuality is illegal in the country and persecution is widespread.

Former Liverpool player Jordan Henderson made the move in the summer and was criticised heavily, having previously been viewed as a huge ally to the LGTBQ+ community.

He was most vocal in his support of the Rainbow Laces campaign and ending LGBTQ+ discrimination during his time at Anfield.

When asked for his opinions on footballers moving to such a country, Rogers said he has no judgment on them and relates his belief to someone who he is very close with.

"I really admire Steven Gerrard, who was one of my Galaxy team-mates. We became pretty close… and I know that Stevie respected and was interested and was just a real supporter of myself and my family. And so he goes to Saudi Arabia… I don’t have judgement of Jordan Henderson or any of those guys.

"I guess what I would say is if you are a supporter here and you go to a country like that, I would say continue to be a supporter there and continue to advocate for LGBTQ rights. That would make the largest difference, " he said.

The former LA Galaxy footballer has ventured into Hollywood before, but has now executively produced his own TV mini-series called Fellow Travellers, which is available on Paramount Plus.

"It’s a really beautiful love story between these two men that is told over multiple decades. It’s also intertwined with this political thriller which is like taking down McCarthyism.

"So, they meet during The Lavender Scare and The Red Scare in the US and their story carries on into the 80s during the AIDS epidemic.

"It’s a really incredible and beautiful story. It’s eight episodes and we’re really proud of it. I think people will enjoy it and it stars Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey, who is a Brit!"

When asked if being a producer is similar to being a manager or head coach in football, he said that there are quite a few similarities between the two.

"You are shaping the locker room which is like your cast. Then keeping everyone happy is like the gaffer or the team captain. One of the most important jobs as a producer, aside from all the technical stuff, is to believe in something before anyone else does.

"So for example, it’s similar to someone like (Mikel) Arteta. Really believing in the changing room, the players, the team and never losing that confidence in them and setting the culture within a production is really important," he said.

Rogers believes the most vital thing to create progress in English football is all about culture.

"Just addressing the discussion, to create a changing room or a culture within the club that just really feels like everyone is accepted, is important. I love everything that the fans are doing, that sponsorships are doing, and the organisations are doing.

"But I think the real focus should be the clubs embracing a culture that is diverse in every which way, and making sure that the players and the young players know about it."